72-hour deadline set on Kalinga gov probe

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo has given police authorities 72 hours to submit their findings on the reported assault of Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac on radio broadcaster Jerome Tabanganay inside his radio booth in Tabuk City, Kalinga last Tuesday.

Robredo ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) police director, Chief Supt. Villamor Bumanglag, to initiate the probe and filing of charges against the governor and his armed bodyguards, if warranted.

The DILG chief said the investigation should determine if the attack on Tabanganay, anchor of DZRK Radio ng Bayan station’s program “Agenda ng Bayan, was prompted by the latter’s frequent attacks on the governor’s alleged involvement in jueteng and illegal logging operations in the province.

Robredo said the acts of the governor are “tantamount to conduct unbecoming of a public official, abuse of power and discretion. He should have been more prudent and patient under such circumstances taking into account that the radio program was live on air. We cannot tolerate such a behavior of a local government official.”

“If the result of the investigation will show there is prima facie evidence against Baac and his bodyguards, then an appropriate criminal and administrative charges should be filed against him soon,” he added.

He also ordered the CAR PNP office to provide security detail to Tabanganay and members of his family.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, meanwhile, condemned the governor’s assault on the radio announcer. He also commended Robredo for ordering police to secure Tabanganay.

“This administration upholds freedom of speech and will defend the rights of the public in this regard,” he said in a statement.

At about 12:55 p.m. last June 7, Baac and his security guards reportedly forcibly entered the DZRK compound and confronted Tabanganay inside his radio booth. The governor allegedly uttered words “apay sumobsobra kayun, apay anya basul ko kadakayo,” then grabbed a microphone, hit the table, and then grabbed another microphone and hit the victim’s mouth.

 

Duty police personnel at the radio station intervened and pacified Governor Baac while the victim was assisted and brought to t he Bolanao PNP Station for medical examination.

 

The journalist reportedly is determined to pursue criminal and administrative cases against Baac.

Article source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/10/11/72-hour-deadline-set-kalinga-gov-probe

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